India seeks Myanmar's cooperation in dismantling insurgent camps

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Last Updated: Thu, Jan 03, 2013 12:40 hrs

New Delhi, Jan 3 (IANS) India has sought Myanmar's cooperation for co-ordinated patrolling along the border and dismantling camps of Indian insurgent groups (IIGs) in its territory, the home ministry announced Thursday.

According to a ministry release, the request was made at the 18th national level meeting between Myanmar and India here Dec 28-29.

The Indian delegation was led by A.K. Mangotra, secretary, border management and the Myanmar delegation was led by Brig. Gen. Kyaw Zan Myint, deputy minister for home affairs.

Both sides expressed satisfaction over opening of a third Border Liaison Office (BLO) between Changlang and Pangsau and decided to open fourth BLO in the Nagaland sector between Ukhrul in Manipur and Somra in Myanmar.

Mangotra recalled the "shared culture and traditionally close relationship" between the two countries and expressed India's commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation to eliminate nexus between the drug trade, arms smuggling, extremism and terrorism.

"Mangotra sought Myanmar's cooperation for coordinated patrolling along the Indo-Myanmar border and dismantling IIGs camps in Myanmar for peace and economic prosperity in the region," the release said.

It said that Myint reiterated an assurance that Myanmar would never allow insurgents and negative elements to use its own territory for activities inimical to its neighbour India

Both sides agreed to cooperate closely on curbing activities of insurgent groups along the border and on issues of arms smuggling and drug trafficking, border management issues and presence of Myanmar fishermen in jails in Andaman and Nicobar, the release added.